If you have answered “yes” to several of these symptoms, you are suffering from chronic fatigue. Chronic Fatigue; Immune Suppressive Deficiency Syndrome is also known as CFIDS, fibromyalgia, "yuppie flu" and Epstein Barr virus. The National Center for infectious disease estimates 95% of adults between 35 and 40 years of age have been infected1. Apparently, those of us who suffer from chronic fatigue are meant to feel better about our condition since most of America has also been infected. Epstein Barr Virus or (EBV) is a member of the herpes family, and the most common of human viruses. It is a unique and pervasive combination of symptoms causing both mental and physical limitations of daily activity. The CDC instructs practitioners to diagnose CFIDS by elimination of other diseases, and according to the CDC, there is no definitive test for CFIDS.

On the contrary, we believe the comprehensive Epstein Barr virus lab test we perform is unequivocal. The blood test will identify significantly elevated titers of the nuclear and viral capsid antigen. None of these values are elevated without ongoing activity of the Epstein-Barr virus. "IGM to the viral capsid antigen appears early in the disease and usually disappears within 4 to 6 weeks if the disease is in the convalescent stage. The IGG to the viral capsid antigen appears in the acute phase, peaks at 2 to 4 weeks after onset, declines slightly, then persists for life"2. The fact most practitioners are unaware of is that high numbers of the IGM and IGG to the viral capsid antigen are proof of ongoing viral activity.

Many of our patients report being turned away by doctors because the doctor did not understand the different values associated with virus in progress and virus convalescence. Even if the practitioner did recognize viral capsid antigen titer elevation, the "treatment" would be "a good dose of Doxycycline." Current research is available and widely disseminated. Actually, if a patient is in the chronic phase of Epstein Barr, a four month treatment cycle of Doxycycline can be helpful. Probiotics should be an important part of Epstein Barr patient’s regimen.

In our practice, we treat many people suffering from CFIDS, and most are women. We follow the CDC guidelines with a complete 50 value blood test, Epstein Barr test panel, saliva adrenal/hormone test, oxygen saturation test, intensive Health Questionnaire, physical exam and history, as well as comprehensive review of past medical records, medicines and supplements. We adjust adrenal, hormone, and thyroid values when needed, and encourage patients to continue care with their primary care physician. These may seem like a lot of tests, but in order to address this syndrome, all endocrine and exocrine systems must be examined.

Many patients complain of severe allergy complications. Allergies can be caused by the patient’s diet and environment. When patients suffer from Epstein Barr, their immune function has been severely compromised. IGG4 allergy blood tests alert us about a possible food interaction, and irritable bowel syndrome. IGG4 is definitive, because it represents the delayed reaction response. The "pin prick" method of allergy testing is prehistoric. If a patient encounters a practitioner still using the acute response pin prick method, they should run out the door! The practitioner has not kept up with advances in modern allergy testing. Usually, avoidance of gluten, sugar, corn, complex carbohydrates, carbonated drinks, processed foods, and eating only organic whole foods will solve the allergic response issue associated with Epstein Barr virus. Patients can ingest 1 dye free Benadryl at bedtime to help with the allergic response and interruption of the sleep cycle.

Silver solution is used orally and given by IV therapy. Liquid MSP 500 parts per million is manufactured by Dr. Bill McFarland of New Orleans; his phone number is (344) 493-0420. Dr. McFarland is patient friendly and always willing to help a patient navigate the difficult situation associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The product is called MSP or Mild Silver Protein. Silver as a treatment for disease has been ignored since the introduction of antibiotics in the 1940's. Unfortunately, antibiotics only address the bacterial aspect of disease.

It is important patients not increase the dose of MSP treatment too quickly. Remember, silver addresses bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasite activity in the body. Too large a dose will result in a severe allergic or flu like reaction. Patients are advised to begin with 1/4 tsp. two times daily, and slowly titrate up to 1 tablespoon three times daily. If a reaction occurs, a hot Epsom salt bath (using 5 cups) drawn with hot water for 15 minutes can help with allergic reaction. The bath can be repeated every 3 hours.

All CFIDS patients suffer from yeast or Candida. They must adhere to the Candida and gluten free diet. Avoidance of alcohol and sugar is crucial; patients are strongly advised to eat organic foods only. Probiotics are also vital to recovery. Two Essential formulas 4 times daily are beneficial in the beginning of treatment. Our recommendation is Dr. Ohira's Essential Formula Probiotics.

Because chronic fatigue patients are B-vitamin deficient, B-12 is given hydroxocobalamin 50 mg with 5 mg folic acid is given daily; or three times weekly.
We dispense hydroxocobalamin, combined with methylcobolamin, as EBV patients have severe methylation disruption. A 50 mg dose of hydroxocobalamin given IM is the treatment most effective or those with severely out of range titers for EBV. "I believe that it I also true that glutathione depletion is present in these patients, and is directly responsible for many of the features of CFS."2 To compensate for the lack of glutathione in CFS patients, a rectal Glutathione suppository is compounded for our patients. The suppository delivers 300 mg of glutathione rectally.

Another aspect of our treatment regimen is a porcine liver extract called Kutapressin. It is a potent anti-viral originally discovered in 1952. Immune function is composed of Th1 and Th2. During a talk in 2001, the famed researcher Dr. Paul Chaney spoke about the shift in immune function typically found in chronic fatigue patients. Dr. Chaney explained that "the immune system is composed of two different immune systems. Th1 attacks organisms that eat the insides of our cells. The other is Th2. Th2 attacks intracellular organisms found outside the cells in blood and other bodily fluids.

A healthy immune system is dynamic; able to switch back and forth as needed, quickly eradicating one threat before responding to the next. Researchers have demonstrated that most CFIDS patients end up locked in TH2 mode. When Th2 activates, it blocks Th1 system. Most notable of the immune dysfunction is increased antibody production. When CFIDS patients are Th2 activated, they no longer have defense mechanisms to keep dormant pathogens that took hold in the past. The EBV, HHV6, Chlamydia pneumonia, CMV, and yeast reactivate3. Usually, thyroid antibodies are also present. Thyroid antibodies are represented by a low TSH and relatively normal T3 and T4. The condition is called Hashimotos thyroiditis. The definitive test for this condition is called TPO Ab. This test will report if thyroid peroxidase antibodies are present.

Many patients have needlessly had thyroid glands irradiated by main stream medicine, because of the presence of thyroid antibodies. If doctors cannot cure the problem, or understand the cause, they routinely burn, poison, or cut it out so that hospitals and doctors make money on the procedure. The reason for the elevated thyroid antibodies is that pathogens have invaded the thyroid. If the pathogens could be eliminated, thyroid antibodies would cease to be an issue.

Test results also often reflect liver/gallbladder function is impaired. Natural liver/gallbladder cleanses and supplements also relieve this condition. We also dispense a natural gallbladder/liver cleanse which can be performed at home. The cleanse was pioneered by Hulda Clark. When patients suffer from Epstein­ Barr, as there is a continual birth and death of cells, about every 25 days. EBV patients can actually chart the times of death and rebirth of cells, according to the severity of symptoms. This "mapping" sometimes helps the patient to estimate the times of the month when they will not feel well. The dead cells are eventually deposited in the gallbladder/liver. For those who have the gallbladder removed, they are in a most unfortunate situation, as the liver must now take up the work of the gallbladder. The result is intense "liver sludge", which needs to be removed. The values elevated or depressed on lab work are GGT, ALT, and AST. Ursodiol is a product compounded with the same chemical formula as Wild Bear Gallbladder bile.

If a patient does not have a minimum of two or more soft bowel movements daily, magnesium oxide is needed to correct the problem. The product we utilize is magnesium oxide capsules, manufactured by Twin labs. Two 400mg capsules before bed should remedy any constipation problems. In rare cases, more than two capsules are needed.

We test for toxic metals, as virus has an unnatural affinity for toxic metal. The use of blue green algae tablets provokes the toxic metal from the tissue for the fecal collection. Hair tests for toxic metal provide a snap shot of toxic metal status from 1 year ago. The presence of excess toxic metals is often confused as the primary diagnosis of CFIDS patients. Toxic metals are always a secondary diagnosis.

Many CFIDS patients have been chelated excessively in an attempt to remove toxic metals. The lack of adrenal function, amino acids, hormones, and minerals place the patient in tenuous position when chelation is administered. Once these basic values are brought up to acceptable levels, toxic metals can be removed using oral blue green algae tablets for several months, and/or chelation. Removal of toxic metals is vital to return to health. All EBV patients with Mercury amalgams should have them removed by a "biological dentist". A biological dentist is adept at removing mercury amalgams and not allowing the mercury vapor to invade the patient. Mercury has no half-life, therefore, its harmful efforts never end!

Immune system issues are boosted with the addition of vitamins C, A, and E, Resveratrol, Krill Oil caplets, D3, B1, 2, 3, 6, and 12. Melatonin is compounded in a melt away tablet containing 20 mg, with an upward limit of 100mg being acceptable as a nightly dose. The sublingual melatonin is available by prescription at a compounding pharmacy. Melatonin has positive effects over the entire organ system.

Body oxygen blood levels are usually perilously low in society today. A condition called hypoxia or lack of oxygen is found in virtually all CFIDS patients. The exception to this condition would be an extreme athlete with EBV. Few EBV patients fall into this category.

Hormonal and adrenal values are measured by the ZRT laboratories using saliva testing. Sex hormones are tested; estradiol, estriol, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone. Men do not manufacture estriol, like women do, but instead are tested for Dihydrotestosterone. High dihydrotestosterone levels indicate the incorrect conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Excess dihydrotestosterone can lead to prostate cancer. Another substance which can cause increased dihydrotestosterone is the synthetic testosterone called depotestosterone. Routinely, in main stream medicine, male patients are offered injections of this synthetic testosterone. Testosterone is available in bioidentical form made from yams, as are all bioidentical hormones.

Using the same test kit, adrenal function is tested over four times in the day; to assess the exact levels of production of the patient's adrenal gland. Ideal dosing
of adrenal supplements should occur before insufficiency occurs over the day. For those patients who are hypo adrenal, or low adrenal function, they are given Cortisol, at the appropriate times of day before their adrenal function becomes low. When adrenal function is impaired, all endocrine processes are impaired.

Many patients today exhibit both hypo and hyperadrenal function during the day. For the hyperadrenal condition, Pregnenolone is prescribed. When results are received, a bio-identical hormone and adrenal prescription is designed for the patient. Bio-identical hormones are made by compounding pharmacy then individually compounded from the prescription. The perscription is valid for one year.

Our treatment program is intense, but we actually prefer to go step by step to help our patients. Our primary goal when a patient presents is to get them up, out of bed, and feeling better. The majority of patients begin to feel better almost immediately. So many of our patients, have been ill for so many years, they are willing to make the commitment required to "feel good again", and have the energy to remain out of bed more hours per day. These patients are then able to enjoy their activities, family, and friends.